Finally started the chop on my 51 Merc!

Ok guys I haven't started a build thread yet but I would like to get your opinions on my chop progress, and some tips or tricks on back window placement. So here goes nothing.(More pics on page 3)
started by taping out cut lines(guy in the pic is 1959ford on here aka erik)





then bracing

then we cut the back window out, and this was the point i got nervous

post more in a min.

 

way cool, good luck!

 

That looks like a lot to chop, hope your not tall. How much up front are you removing? Good luck, takes a lot of balls to do a chop on your own.

 

Then it was on

roof off

door tops

cut the post off

and got the front posts tacked back together


then started taping and and cut to move the back quarter windows back to keep the longer windows

and more to come...

 

good luck

 

That does look like a serious chop (like 5 or 5 1/2 inches).It does take alot of guts to chop a slanted windshield car .I chopped my 54 Chevy years ago and it came out nice ,but 49-51 Mercs are a bit harder to come by.Good luck on it and post pics please as it goes along.BTW ,not sure if you plan to or not ,but i noticed the rear window opening is not braced in the pic.You may want to do that to keep it from moving around during the welding ...

 

looks like its gunna be to heavy of a chop for my liking, but good luck everyones different

 

cut and moved back


and tacked back in place


side shot

 

looks good, i like a heavy chop...i cut 9inches out of my t! eekk!

 

Looks good, good luck with it

 

Nice. I like the vintage wheels.

 

now to fill in the hole


and tacking the back

taped out the cut on the roof to make the back window fit

 

front shot


Thats where i am now, Its a 5'' chop(5'' vertical in back and 5'' up the front post so it ends up being something like a 4 1/2'' in the front and 5'' in back). I also have a 50 back window to put in it.

 

Thanks, Thats what happens when you got my kind of budget. they are rated for shop speed only!

 

Nice. Are you keeping the original rear window or using something else?

 

Looking Good Bro!

 

Nice start. Tom (Tired Old man)

 

I will be putting a 50 merc back window in it.

 

looks sweet ...

 

Once again I am amazed at what I see done on this sight. Great looking job!

 

Looking good!!

 

I was pretty close on the 5 inch chop estimate.Looks very good ,especially for your first one .Im impressed and cant wait to see it with the 50 window in it .Glad you sliced the roof and kicked the posts in instead of cutting the roof into pieces to make the posts line up (like most first timers do)..You obviously did sum homework before you started cutting ...

 

we call them pizza cutters around here
they are for deep snow so the "tread gets down to the road"...

 

yes sir i have, I have asked a few ?s on here and i also have a 4 hour chop dvd from some guy in TN. that i have watched about 10 times and it is playing while i am doing it.

 

I take back from what i said before it doesnt look too chopped. for some reason i thought you were gunna cut on the outside of the tape

 

Are u ready to finish it this week. or what!?!?
U gotta love takin ur vacation time to finish ur chop!
...and thanks to all u HAMB-ers for the support!

 

It payed off for you .A 5 inch chop looks just right to me on 49-51 Mercs ,and i really like that you didnt slant the "B"pillars .I like everything you've done on the chop so far.Never really liked cars with 1/4 chop (just so they can say its chopped).If your not gunna cut out more than 3 inches dont bother.Good job man ...

 

its looking good man!

 

Hell yeah bud, Yeah nothing like getting payed to stay home and work on your car!!!

 

I just didnt think 4 was enough. and it come down to the last minute before taping it out to deside